In 1977, BMW introduced a new flagship, the E23 BMW 7 Series Sedan. Forty years later, the sixth-generation 7 Series remains at the top of BMW's luxury-sedan family. To commemorate four decades at the peak of its model range, BMW will introduce a special—and very limited—edition of the 7 Series at the 2017 Frankfurt International Auto Show in September: the BMW 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre.
Only 200 of the Edition 40 Jahre will be produced. They will be built to customer specifications at BMW Plant Dingolfing, which has been producing the 7 Series since 1977.
Even with so few being manufactured, there will be a choice for customers fortunate enough to afford these beauties and quick enough to snag one when orders are taken in October. Available models include either long or standard wheelbase and may be fitted with any of the six-, eight-, or twelve-cylinder engines that power the current lineup of G11/G12 7's. Customers can also choose their Edition 40 Jahre with or without xDrive and can even opt for the 740e iPerformance plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
The big sedan's Edition 40 Jahre will come in one of two exclusive colors: BMW Individual Frozen Silver or BMW Individual Petrol Mica metallic. The cars will have the M Aerodynamics Package, BMW high-gloss Shadow Line trim, and 20-inch BMW Individual light alloy V-spoke wheels. Naturally, there will be an exclusive 40 Jahre signet on the B pillar coverings and on the door sills.
The interior of the Edition 40 Jahre also gets the BMW Individual treatment. Upholstery and trim can be either Smoke White and Cohiba or Smoke White and Black, both in Merino fine grain full leather. The headliner is BMW Individual Alcantara Smoke White.
Everyone in the car will sit in comfort seats, front and rear. BMW Individual interior trim strips may be black piano lacquer finish or high-grade wood finish Eucalyptus straight-grained Smoke Brown high gloss, depending on the upholstery color. The Edition 40 Jahre signet appears on the passenger side dash, the floor mats, and embossed in the headrests and on the two Smoke White comfort cushions.
Buyers of the BMW 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre will be able to order pretty much any option that is available on normal 7 Series Sedans to include all the connectivity and driver assistance features for which the 7 Series is well known.
For buyers who want their rear passengers to experience the epitome of luxury, the car may be had with optional panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, Executive Lounge Seating, Executive Lounge Rear Console, and Rear Seat Entertainment Experience featuring BMW Touch Command.
BMW did not announce the price of the 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre, probably because of the extensive customization available to the 200 buyers. Whichever colors and options they order, they will all have in common the ability to afford it, whether they will add this special car to their collection, or drive it everyday.
BMW doesn't issue anniversary editions very often but when they do—as with other anniversary models in the last few years—the models deserve to be recognized. After 40 years at the top of the catalog, it's nice to see the 7 Series get its special edition.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
